Amina Claudine Myers

Amina Claudine Myers is an American jazz pianist, organist, vocalist, composer, and musical arranger. She has proven herself adept in the creative musical arts. She is well known for her works involving voice choirs, voice and instrumental ensembles and performances in any combination of formations. Ms. Myers' career in music began in her pre-teens assisting in chruch choirs as vocalist, piano/organist and later serving as choir director in her home state of Arkansas. She studied concert music at Philander College in Little Rock, completing her studies with a Bachelor of Arts degree in music education. After moving to Chicago in the 1960s Ms. Myers taught in the public school system there for six years, attended Roosevelt University and became a member of the AACM in 1966. In Chicago she first began composing music for voice and in 1975 organized her very first choir. Since 1976 Ms. Myers has resided in New York city where her career has become even more multifaceted. She has moved into the theater realm, writing pieces for this medium, acting and composing music for a number of off Broadway productions. Ms. Myers has recorded and/or performed with Archie Shepp, Charlie Haden's Liberation Orchestra, James Blood Ulmer, Gene Ammons, Sonny Stitt, Muhal Richard Abrams, Lester Bowie and Bill Laswell. She has currently nine recordings released under her own name.